billymgb1000

OmC8 I am starting the build soon. where I live ( north east ) By now my car is put away usually, but so far this year its been very mild. So I been still driving her I love to drive this car so much it's like an addiction. It is a go-cart on steroids. she weighs about 2300-2400 lbs and with the cammed 4.8 i'm at 300 or more hp.But next couple weeks for sure the motor will be out. Have an awesome christmas everyone!!!!!!!

omc8

iTrader: (7)

Cool, the first stick I'd ever drove was a MGB . Just a suggestion before you start on 5.3 build ...... Look for aluminum block gen 3 LM4 or L33 the later will already have flat tops you seek and have 243/799 heafds to boot. These blocks will also take a 3.9x bore if you like later down the road. LM4 is much cheaper to buy , has dish piston and 706/862 heads .That MGB w/ iron block ,has to be like Morganna the kissing bandit ..... LM4 block will save over 100lbs over the nose.

G Atsma

Gen IV 5.3 aluminum block engines are LH6, LH8, LH9, and LC9 if you can use a Gen IV, I believe they all have 243/799 heads on them.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

Yes I prefer the gen4 ,. and all those will give a 9.9 cr except the LH9 . But Op has two gen3 engine to start with. If he is fi , he needs to make changes to the harness to run gen4 block. My guess he's carb so no problem then. These gen 4 command more money .I have found complete LM4 for $300

G Atsma

In usable shape? Pretty good!

omc8

iTrader: (7)

Yes one of last one I purchased was complete good runner with 118k for $365 didn't have do anything to it and had 60 day warranty.Some have been core motors so didn't care as long as the block is good and keep a std bore.

billymgb1000

At first I thought it was going to be really heavy over the wheels. So I put the engine as far back as i could. Then some one from the mg web site I am a member of weighed the orginal mg motor, rad, and tranny. I forgot the exact weight but they then took a 5.3 iron block with a turbo 350 and the orginal mg set up was 60-70 lbs lighter. and I have a alum rad. so there is such a minimal weight difference you dont notice it . Makes for a fun fun car. I had to put an auto in it because of 4 lower back operations and a weak left leg i would rather not shift.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

I remember when I was in High school there was a MG parked in the street .Me and a friend picked it up and put it on the side walk. The rear end is very light. LS alum block would save 110 lbs so it be 40- 50 lighter than ,MG weight .

G Atsma

Yeah, you would think those "little 4-bangers" would be flyweight engines, but being cast iron blocks AND heads, plus not being modern thin-wall castings, they are BOAT ANCHORS comparatively! It does not surprise me that an aluminum block LS would lighten the front end of one of those cars.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

LOL!! My college roomate had a triumph spitfire. Similar story. His friend had parked the car all douchy and kept the keys, so the two of us just picked up the *** and put it in the parking spot.

whatsa347

iTrader: (6)

It's insane what you can pick up an LS1 shortblock for now a days, they're even cheaper than iron blocks a lot of times.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

There are only two LS1 block castings that I would build from......probably has a big part in any. decline in cost !

lamrith

Let us know how it goes. I built a 5.0L MGB 18yrs ago. I was one of 1st to do that swap, and it was a PITA. With Iron block and Alum heads and a T5 I was within 50# of stock weight up front. Car weighed 2430 with tank of gas and a toolbox in the trunk. Very fun car though when I had it done! Rear axle didn't last long though. The LS is even lighter, so your car should handle very well if you go Alum block!

omc8

iTrader: (7)

So what you do about the rear axle ....... let me guess you went to 8.8 irs . Yes the alum LS with a upgraded T5 would be a good light weight combo.

lamrith

I had stock MGB rear in that car. 1st was useless, always just started in second gear. Lot of guys back then and now though use a ford8. I had planned to go 8.8 before I sold the car.

Right now I am gaining parts (and here researching) to put and LS in a 944.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

Yeah there's a guy here locally that has a 911 with a sbc .He has changed the exhaust 4x it's a bundle of snakes

James K

For being a Senior Tech ur really a Dumb*ss! For your information the Length of a 5.3L rod and a 6.0L rod are different therefore creating higher or lower compression! Wow I mean any Dumb*ss can Google that n see the different lengths! So don't talk Sh*t about other people when u Clearly aren't as smart as u think!!

dixiebandit69

For being a bot, you could have picked a better post.

They have the same rod length.
The only reason I'm posting this is in case someone takes your bad advice.

G Atsma

For being a new guy (or new bot....) if you kept reading down, you would have seen the whole thing got resolved and all is now cool.
But NOOOOO... You go off half-cocked on me to make your "point" before you know WTF is going on. And THEN you put your own ERRONEOUS info up to show us up!! SMH....
BTW, if you wanna keep this **** up, let's see how fast a mod can kick your sorry *** outta here.....

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

The most embarrassing first post I’ve seen in a long while. The internet strikes again….